This almost seemed like a YA dystopian book, although I don‘t think it actually is YA. It was a great book, and the addition of Seamus really made it what it was. Loved it! (9)
⭐️: 4/5
This almost seemed like a YA dystopian book, although I don‘t think it actually is YA. It was a great book, and the addition of Seamus really made it what it was. Loved it! (9)
⭐️: 4/5
On the third day of Christmas my true love read to me…
Lark Ascending was the most hopeful dystopian book I‘ve ever read. Since then I‘ve been reading through House‘s backlist. Yay for new to me authors.
This was fantastic! It will definitely land on my favorites list for this year. I am a sucker for a well written dystopian, especially one with found family. Lark's quest and the companions he finds on the way touched my heart.
I‘ve been a bit wary of America is burning dystopian novels lately, but I loved this more character driven look at a young man escaping America for Ireland, which is the last place to take in refugees. But after a harrowing trip across the Atlantic, Lark is surprised by what he finds when he arrives. What could‘ve been dark and depressing reads more hopeful albeit with some sad moments. Thanks for the rec @Bookwormjillk 💜
#RecentAcquisitions someone went to the library a couple of times this week! 🙋🏻♀️ Thank you to @Bookwormjillk for the rec of Lark Ascending! I‘ve also got two graphic novels, the latest from the Before the Coffee… series, two new releases, and one from the librarians‘ recommendations shelf that hopefully will scratch my itch for more queer lit!
Love this book. It will probably be my top read of the year.
This was a grim dystopian story line, but the underlying message was hope in the face of grief. I loved this book. My first Silas House- won‘t be my last!
I forgot about reviewing the tagged book on Litsy, but other Littens have given beautiful reviews. I love Silas House books, even though Lark is not my normal genre. Thought you all might be interested in this post. He is a very accessible author & has the best Ky accent to listen to.
The world has changed dramatically, due to climate disasters and extreme politics, and America is mostly a burned wasteland. Lark‘s family and his mother‘s friend‘s family escape to a nature preserve in Maine, where they live in hiding for years before the raging fires threaten them there. So they plan an escape to Ireland, where they hear it might be safe.
Beautiful, sad, scary, but somehow still hopeful. I loved this! (There‘s a dog!)
“Why do you call it that?” I asked her back. She was balancing herself with her arms out as we crossed a jagged line of stones across a quickening stream.
“What would you have me say instead?”
“Dusk. Twilight,” I answered, watching the cliffs above us.
“But the word gloaming is so much lovelier,” she said, as if that were it, the end.
Book and a snack. 😋
Less than halfway through Lark Ascending and I‘ve already cried. It‘s so good!
This immediately struck me as an emotionally intense story. I felt great heaviness of significant loss and inconceivable change within the first few pages. The emotional weight of sadness lifted a bit in the middle of the story, but it was replaced by suspense and worry. I appreciate how the story ended, even though I was again overcome by sadness and grief.
Full review at https://abookandadog.com
Lark, now an old man, tells the story of his journey as a young man from America to Ireland, as he and his family sought refuge from a war torn America ravaged by “fundies” (militant Christian fundamentalists). They have a special hate for LGBTQ people (Lark is gay). This dystopian thriller had me on the edge of my seat as Lark encounters relentless violence and tragedy. Relief is found in natural beauty, the love of a dog, and a caring friend.
A conversation between Margaret Renkl and Silas House about his latest book, “Lark Ascending,” at the Southern Festival of Books in Nashville.
House really struck a chord with me in talking about loving the place you call home even when it doesn‘t love you back.
I had the pleasure of hearing author Silas House read from this book at Joseph-Beth in Lexington. Inspired by the author's own grief at the loss of a loved one as well as the rising tide of intolerance, this near future dystopia follows a young man named Lark as he flees his family refuge in Maine for a haven in Ireland. As violence & grief threaten to overwhelm him, small moments of natural beauty & the love of a good dog keep him from giving up.
It was a standing room only event to celebrate the book launch of Silas House‘s new novel, Lark Ascending, at Joseph-Beth Booksellers. Visit my book blog for more details https://abookandadog.com